Ever since our trip to City of Hope in Los Angeles and meeting with top scientists developing cancer cures with herbs, I’ve been focusing on wisely choosing foods for my family that heal, not harm.

It’s tough some days, especially when we have boys’ activities that go through the late afternoon and evenings. The unhealthy, fast choices are so tempting. Even at home, I’ll admit to popping frozen bean burritos in the microwave and adding a salad to “even it out” is sometimes an option.

My answer to this is to stock the freezer with frozen seafood. I buy shrimp already flash frozen (you can defrost exactly as many shrimp as you need). I also buy fresh fish and then cut them up into 1-inch chunks before freezing. A tip is to freeze the fish chunks in one layer – just flatten the bag and lay flat in the freezer. It makes it so much easier and faster to defrost.

The pantry always holds cans of coconut milk, cartons of broth and dried rice noodles – making this recipe very convenient to cook.

Thai Fish Soup Recipe Video

Thai Fish Soup Recipe

Recipe adapted from The Medicinal Chef: Eat Your Way to Better Health by Dale Pinnock.

Make this healthy soup a perfect light meal by adding 1/2 pound of dried rice noodles (cook the rice noodles according to package directions).

You'll season to taste with the balance of fish sauce and lime juice. Adjust with more if needed, for more intense flavor.

If you cannot find lemongrass or kaffir lime leaves, just substitute with the peel of a lemon or lime. Use a vegetable peeler to get thin strips of peel (avoid the bitter white pith) and give each strip a good bruising or twist to release the oils)

The last time we made this soup, we added fresh tomato cut into wedges too - I highly recommend that you do the same!

Directions:

In a wok or soup pot over medium high heat, add cooking oil and swirl to coat. When hot, add in the garlic, ginger, red onion, chili pepper, lemongrass, kaffir and gently cook for about 2 minutes to release the aromas and flavors.

Pour in the coconut milk and broth and let simmer for 15 minutes. Remove the lemongrass, kaffir (or the lemon/lime peel if using) and discard. Season broth with fish sauce and lime juice to taste.

Add shrimp, salmon, vegetables and cilantro. Cook for 3-4 minutes or until the shrimp and salmon is cooked through.